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Karyomegalic interstitial nephritis: a pitfall in urine cytology
David Palmer1, Sharda Lallu, Philip Matheson
1Department of Cytology, Wellington Hospital and School of Medicine, Capital and Coast District Health Board, Wellington, New Zealand. david.palmer@ccdhb.org.nz
Abstract:
A case of a 44-yr-old Maori female presenting with chronic renal failure due to karyomegalic interstitial nephritis is reported. To our knowledge, this is the first instance this disorder has been reported in a New Zealand Maori. Karyomegalic interstitial nephritis is a rare cause of progressive renal failure, which may be familial, and is frequently associated with a history of recurrent respiratory infections. The urine in this case contained large, pleomorphic cells, mimicking carcinoma. The case therefore illustrates a rare cause of chronic renal failure, and presents an important diagnostic pitfall in the practice of urine cytopathology.
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